Motor vehicle control mechanism



Jan. 4, 1938. l c. A. BREWER 2,104,580

MOTOR VEHICLE CONTROL'MECHANISM Filed Nav. 9, 1929 f 2 Sheng-sheet 1 f5 za v un. l m

4 lupin-ll@ iM r Jam 4, 1938- I Y c. A. BREWER f l* 2,104,580

MOTOR VEHI CLE CONTROL A MECHANI SM Filed Nov. 9, 1929 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented Jan. 4, i938.

Application November s, guias, serial No. 406,010 .s claims. `(ci. isz- 91) v This invention relates to control mechanism for motor' vehicles, particularly to a clutch controlmechanism, althoit could be used for controlling and operating Athe brakes, and has for an object to' provide a mechanism which will control theY clutch with a minimum eort on the part of the operator.

It is another object of the invention to provide a device which will give manual control of the clutch with practically eiortless operation on the part of the driver. i

-It is also aniobject of the invention `to provide a control mechanism in which there is a power device -for releasing the clutch and controllingV y its engagement in normal operation of the vehicle .with control mechanism ior the power device which maybe operated by the clutch pedal with the same movements as are now employed for releasing and controlling the clutch, but .with very 2@ little eort onI the part of the operator ormay be controlled by a knob or button arranged to be del pressed by the foot. It is a further object of the invention to provide a control mechanism usinga power device for releasing and controlling the clutch in which, should the power device fail, the clutch may be released and controlled independently thereof by means of the foot through the same means by which the power device is controlled. In other Words, the control of the power means for controlling the clutch and the manual control means for the clutch -should the power means fail is at the same point.

It is a still furtherl object of the invention to provide an improved control valve mechanism for a fluid ,operated power devi/ce for controlling the clutch mechanism.

It is another object ofthe invention to pro-v vide a clutch control mechanism in which the 40 clutch is released and its engaging movement controlled by a power device controlled by e. personally operated lever or other control device in which the action of the power device depends von the amount of movementl given to .the lever or other control device and not the force or pressure applied to the lever.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device'to duplicate regular foot operation and control of the clutch with a minimum of eiort on the part of theoperator.

With the foregoing' and other objects in view.

the invention consists in certain novel features rof construction, combinations and arrangements of parts as will be more fully disclosed in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In these drawings: p v Fig. 1 is a side elevation ofl a clutch control Imechanism shown somewhat diagrammatically, including one form of my improved mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a detail section ofthe control valve and 5 a part of the power unit of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detail section substantially on line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

- Fig. 4.is a detail'section substantially' on line 4 4 of Fig. a. 10 I Fig. 5 is a section similarto Fig. 3 but showing the valve in positonto bringthe power unitin communicationl with the source of suction.

Fig. 6 is a section on the plane of Fig. 4 wlththe movable valve element in a position corresponding 15 to Fig. 5;.

Fig. 'I shows a modified -construction and arrangement of the clutch control mechanism cer .f tain parts being in section to more clearly show the construction, and j 20 Fig. 8 is a section of the" control valve of Fig. 7 on a somewhat enlarged scale.

Referring to Fig.. 1, It represents -a motor vehicle clutch of any suitable type. A suitable lever i i is fulcrumed on a suitable support shown 25 -at l2, such vas the frame at i3 and has the usual fori; i4 for operating the clutch to release it againstaction of spring I5 and also to control its engagement. l

A suitable power device ii is connected to the 30 lever l i fo'r controlling the clutch, that is to rem lease the clutch and control its engaging movement. The device shown comprises an outer casing or housing i 8 closed at one'end by a cap it. Mounted with'inthe housing and secured to ,the 35 capis a flexible diaphragm 2G. Thisj diaphragm, as illustrated, is a bellows diaphragm connected at one end tothe cap I9 by any suitable means, such as a disc 2i. The opposite or free end of the diaphragm carries a disc 22 having an exten- 4o sion 23 passing out of the housing and guided for sliding movement therein. 'mais extension 23 is connectedv by any suitable; means, as a link 2li with the lever ii at it. Also carried by the head it Within the housing and within the diaphragm 2@ 45 -has a passage'28 communicating with the cham- 50 ber 29 inthe extension. A conduit 30 leadslfrom this passage, to the control valve 3i. A second conduit 32 leads fromthe space 33 outside the diaphragm 20 and communicates with the atmosphere. Preferably it is taken to some position 55 within the car where it will not collect as much dust as it would ii' it opened outside.

'Ihe valvei is shown more in detail in Figs. 3 to 6. The casing has a tapered bore .44 in which is a similarly tapered rotatable plug Ii.v The casing has lateral branches II and 31, the branch `36 being connected to the conduit' 30 while the branch 31' leads to the atmosphere through a ,conduit l1', and as in the case of the conduit I2, it is preferred to lead this con-'- duit to the interior of the car where .it will collect less 'dust and dirt. One end of the casing v of the valve is connected by a conduit 3l with any suitable source of suction, such as the in-` take manifold 3l' of the engine. The valve 35 has a longitudinal passage I leading from the end thereof sothat it communicates with thev conduit Il4 and opening laterally through the side of the plug, as shown at 4l. The wall of the plug also has a tapered groove or passage 4i communicating at one end with this latter passage 4B and opening through the side of the plug with its largest end in communication with the passage 40. `Passage 4i is' also in alignment with a passage 4I communicating with the conduit ll. 'Ihe plug also has a similarly tapered groove or passage "42 in alignment with the branch 31 and passage therein and quite a little longer than the groove 4I, as will be seen from Fig. 4, it being in fact of sumcient length to lead from the' passage 4I in the branch l1 to a passage-44 on the opposite side of the plug leading to a conduit 44' communicating with the chamber 29 in the power device. The passage 45 also leads to the plug 3B in the plane of the passage 4| so that in certain positions of the' plug this passage 4| communicateswith the passage 45. With the parts in the position shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the clutch is engaged or in driving position. It will be noted from Pig. 3 that the passage 4i is so located in the plug l5 thatin this position the tip of this tapered passage or groove 4I is just out of communication with the passage 45 leading to the conduit while as shown in Fig...4 passage 44, conduit 44' and chamber 29 arein free communication-with the Aatmosphere through the e or groove -42 and conduit 11' thus equalising the pressures on opposite sides o! the diaphragm 2li in the power device. rIt will also be noted from Figs'. 2, 3 and 4 that the two tapered grooves or pasi sages `4| and 42 are tapered in opposite directions and are so located that as' plug 3l moves l clockwise the communication of passage 4| with held,against its seat by a spring 4U. It will be apparent from.Fig. -3 thatthis'valve is so arranged that it will permit nowof fluid out opposite end of the valvecasing Il duitlisagearlikeyedtoa shaftissecuredatitsinner plug by any suitable means, such as byvilateeningtheendottheshattliandleatingitin erossgrooveintheend ionthev plug as so este make a tight mmecnfniv between the valve* and the casing ll but permits y the plug to turn in the casing.

The gear 50 meshes with a gear 55 connected with a foot lever or pedal 56 projecting through the lfoot board 12 andV fulcrumed to any suitable support at 51, and the gear 55 may have annular. adjustment with respect'to this lever by any suitable means, such as a clamping bolt 54 extending through an elongated slot 59 in the gear.

By loosening this bolt 58 the gear may be adjusted and then clamped in adjusted position, `whereby the position of plug 35 and passages 4i and 42 may be adjusted relative to passages 44 and 45. The lever 56 isconnected by any suitable connection, as a link or rod 6U, with the lever ii, and it may include a turn buckle il for adjusting the length of this rod. It is connected `to the lever ii by meansgof a pinjl2 in an elongated slot 63 so as to provideqa lost motion connection between the lever 5l and the lever Il which will permit limited movements of the lever 56 without operating the clutch.

By adjustment ofV turn buckle 8i and gear 55 the parts may be adjusted so that pin 62 normally occupies a position 'in the bottom of slot' In'operation the valve plug I5 is normally in the position of Figs. 2, 3 and 4 with the suction conduit 38 out of communication with the passage 45 and the power device, but with the passage 4I from the atmosphere in communication with the passage 44 and the 4power device through the groove 42 on the valve plug. Thus the space 28 within the diaphragm 20 is in communication withl the atmosphere and the pressures arel equalized on'` the opposite sides of the diaphragm. The diaphragm is, therefore, in its extended position of Fig. 2 and the clutch is held in engagement by `the spring i5. The casing of the power device is preiefably mounted on trunnions 'III so that it may rock if necessary, and the trunnions are mounted in a bracket 1I or other suitable support.

secured to the frame of the car. When the opera? transmitting any ,pressure from the toot to the clutch.. This preliminary movement of the lever It willturn the valve plug Il through the. gears l5 and B2, and movel the"passage or groove 4l to communication with the passage 4l. This movement will bringthe suction conduit 3l in communication with the passage 4l and the space 24 within Ithe diaphragm 2i andat the same time will shift groove ore 42 toredueethe area,

of the communication between this space and e 4I and thus with .the atmospheric oonduit I1'. The suction of the engine will now vwitli'drawairfrom Il andreduce the al Il'anllthediaghragm '2l tofforthb Inh the ettena manure Leinen. mengen.

l by the powerdevioeas'the'pedal Il goes y 2,104,590 down. and without' any more effort on the part of the operator than is required tooperate the control valve 35, the suction on the power device increasing as the pedal goes down and further shifts the valve to increase the communication of conduit'38 with conduit 30 and decrease communication of conduit 44' with the atmosphere through conduit 31'.

This device also provides a very effective control of the clutch engaging movement with little effort on the part of the operator. It will be apparent that the amount of communication of the passage 4I with the passage 45 and the amount of the communication of passage 42 with passage 43 is restricted will depend on how much the lever 56 is shifted or depressed. Thus a small movement of the leverfwill move the valveplug a short distance giving /a restricted communication between passages 4l and 45. The suction through the pipe 38 will, therefore, only reduce the pressure in the space 26 in the diaphragm a small amount as air can flow in through the passage 42.

However, as the tapers of passages 4I and 42 ex-` Vtend\in opposite directions the more the communication of passage 4l with passage 45 is increased the greater is the communication between passage42 with passage 43 decreased. Therefore, for any position of the valve plug 35 there will eventually be a balance between the two and the clutch will be engaged, only a Agiven amount fory any given position of the valve plug. The result is that the clutch is not fully released by a small movement of the lever 56 and valve plug, but the y pull applied to the clutch depends on the amount cf depression or movement of the lever. Thus the operator can accurately control the 'amount of i the application of the clutch, partly releasing it with a small movement of the lever if it is vdesired to slip the clutch as in parking in a. small space, or fully releasing it'by depressing this lever sufi- -ciently to bring passage 4l in full communication with passage 45 and moving passage 42 out of communication with passage 43 as shown in Figs. `5 andw and, if desired, an intermediate degree of application may be secured with a corre- Thus with this arrangement the lever 56 can be very effectively used to control the engaging movement of the clutch with the same movement as where the pressure on the lever directly controls the clutch engagement as is now common practice, but in' controlling this clutch engagement the pressure on the lever is only that required to shift valve plug 35 and overcome the pull of spring 64. Also the pressure required to release the clutch is only that required to overcome spring 64 and shiftA valve 35.

This device, therefore, duplicates regular foot operation of the clutch with a minimum of effort on the part ofthe driver.

`It will be noted that the connection from the intakefmanifold of the motor to the chamber 29 of the power device is separate and independent-` from the connection to the atmosphere which also leads to chamber 29. This allows the suction to pull from this chamber and the atmospheric air to enter the chamber independently and in proportion to the valve adjustments. It

has been found from actual tests that, therefore,

the 'amount of suction pull on the :power device could be varied over a' Wideerange of pulling eiort by the variation of. the amount of opening of the valve controlling the connection with the intake manifold of the motor and the variation 'of the atmospheric valve, and that this could be done to the clutch lever II as soon as the end of slot 63 engages pin 62. This will shift diaphragm 10.

plate 22' to the left compressing the air in space 26. This, however, will not materially interfere with operation of the clutch by the lever as the valve 41 will move from its seat and'permit this pressure to escape. The engaging movement of 15 the clutch under these conditions will be controlled in the usual manner as where no power device is present.

In Figs. 7 and 8 I have shown a modied construction of the device for releasing and control- 20 ling the clutch inthesame manner, but, instead of a pedal similar to the usual clutch pedal, ernploying a slidable button or knob to be operated by the foot. The power device may be of a different type, that shown being a piston sliding in 25 a cylinderinstead of a exible diaphragm as shown in Fig. 2. It will be understood that-the power device of Fig. 2 could be used with the Y control shown in Figs. 7 and 8 or the piston and cylinder form of power device could. be used with :su the control of Figs. -1 to 6. The steering column is indicated at 13, and this power device may be mounted on this column below the foot boards 12- or on any other suitable support. As shown, it is mounted on a suitable bracket 14 clamped to 35 the column by one or more bolts or screws 15. Thev clutchis indicated at .l0 and is normally held in engagement by the spring l5. It may be released by a lever 16 fulcrumed at 11 and having the usual fork 18 for engaging the usual 40 clutch abutment 19.

The power device shown comprises a piston slidable in a cylinder 8| and connected to a ho1 low stem 82 to which a link v83 is slidable yconnected by a ball 84. A similar ball 85 connects 45` roller 89 adapted to engage the top oflever 16. 50

but normally held in raised position against the under side of the oor boards by a spring 90. Lever 88 is forked, one vside of the f ork being removed in the drawing and the roller 89 being mounted between them. Mounted between the 55 sides of' the forks is a slidable rod 9| having a flange 92 forming a shoulder to rest on the curved tops 93 on the sides of the fork. This rod projectsupwardly-through the oor boards 12 and carries a knobor button 94 in position to be de- 60 'pressed-by the foot-of the operator. This rod is guided for sliding movement in a guide 95 connected to the bracket. 14 and serves to operate l the control valves for the piston 80.

The piston is operated by suction from the in- 65 spring |08itending to move this valve toward its seat. Chamber |06 is in communication with chamber |04 in the cylinder through a pipe |09. The two valves |00 and |05 are controlled by/the parts are in the position shown in Figs. 7 and 8,1.

the valve |00 beingclosed to shut off communication of the intakemanifold 06 with the cylinder l and the valve |05 being held open by the enlarged portion ||5 to place this cylinder in communication with the atmospherethrough the vent |01. The piston 80 and lever 10 are now held in their upper positions by the spring ||6, and the clutch is in engagement through action of the spring I5. It the driver now wishes to release the clutch. all he has to do is to pressv on the knob or but-4 ton 61|.4 'Ehis'forces the' rod 6| downward shift- .ing the cam` surface finto engagement with the end of the valve stem ||0 to lift thefvalve |00 4dil-from its seat. This movement also causes the stem l2 of valve |05 to ride ofi the cam surface I 3 over thejreduced portion III which permits the spring |08 to force the valve |05l onto its seat and cut off communication 'of chamber |06 with the atmosphere. The chamber |00 in the cylin- -der -below tliepiston is'now inf communication lwithjtheintakemanifold of the motorI and is out of communication .with th atmosphere. The

suction of the mtor. therefore, reduces the pres- .sure in`4 the chamber |04 causing atmospheric wardly and through the link 63 operate lever 16 to release the clutch.

in the' manner in which the clutch is now controlled direct by 'the foot. 'I'hus, when it is desired to 1etthe clutch back 'into engagement, the pressure on the knob 64 is gradually' released the same as it wouldbe in direct pedal operation of 'the clutch. This'will 'permit the rod 9| tomove upwardly sumciently to partially close the -valve |00 and partially open the valve |05 and thus decrease thesuction 'in the chamber |04 and permit` the piston-to rise with proper speed depending on the amounts to` which the two valves |00 and |05 are .opened or closed. Thus. slight closing of the valve |00 and slight opening oithe'valve |05, will permit the piston |00 and further opening oi' the valve |05 will permit the piston to'mcvelupwardly more rapidly. Thus, the engaging movement of the clutch can be controlled by the toot the same as is described in connection withthe ilrst form ot the -device shown in Figs. 1 t'o6,`.and to give the same 4clutch control as would be secured by direct yifoot operation oi' the'clutch pedal. But this operation and control of the clutch is'secured with 70' minimum foot eilort, all the eiiort being required is that-necessary to `shift the rodll. As'the wroller-lllLnQlTmuY somedlstance above'the lever' 16, the r'od 0| may -be depressed sulciently to operate the valves |00 and- |05 without trans- 7'5 mitting `direct pressure oi' the' foot to the lever;`

pressure on the tcp of the piston to force it downto rise slowly while further closing of the valve communication from the chamber .|06 with; the atmosphere throughs. vent |01, and there isa I A1li... This arrangement, therefore, iormsa llost motion connection between the lever 86 and the lever 16 through which the lever 16 may be op' erated direct should the power device fail. `In this event,that is.' should the power' devicefail, depression of the" knob 94 will for'e the lever 66 downwardly until roller l0 engages lever 16 and lfurther movement of the knob 64 will force the lever 1|: downwardly to release the clutch by direct pressure from the pedal, and engagement of the clutch may be controlled directly from the vi'oot in`the usual man'ner. Downward-movement of tlie` lever 16 independently of the pistonis permittedby .the ball connection (04 sliding in theL guide 62 which forms a lost motion connecwherein the clutch is-operatedy through a power means 'and both the release of the clutch yand the control of the engaging movement isby this power means, and both operations are controlled by the' operator vby the same foot movements as in operating the regular clutch control but with a minimumeffort as all.the pressure that is required by the foot is 'that requiredto. operate the control valves. However'. should'th'e power device iail,v then the clutch may be operated and controlled `directly by the foot with the sameV movements. It will, therefore, be evident that the control for the power device and themanual control means for' the clutch should the power device fail are at the same point, and it is not lnecessary. for thedriver to learn a diierent techniue to operate the clutch with this device either when using the power device' or when the power device fails, and the operator without learning new operating movements is able to drive a car either with or without this powerY control. Y

Y Having thus set-forth the nature of my invention, what I claim is:

a iiuid operatedpower device includinga movable element connected to'the control mechanism for operating it, a connectionirom the space at one side oi'saidelement to a'source of suction,

one connection it simultaneously gradually closes the other, and manual means for operating said rotary member.

2. Ina control mechanism for motor vehicles,A a fluid operated power device includinga mov-- able element connected to the control mechanism for Ioperating it, a connection from the space at one side of said element to a source o! suction, a separate connection from' said space to the atmosphere, a control valve means computing j a rotary member having a passage for controlling .each of said connections.. said passagesbeing tapered in opposite directions and arranged-so that as the member rotates to gradually open one connection it simultaneously gradually clases` the other. a manually operatedjmember connected to'l said rotarylmember Afor operating it.v

and a lost motion' connection from the manually V`operated member to' the control; mechanim 76 45 l. In acontrol mechanism for motor vehicles,

whereby it may be operated independently of the power device.

3. In a motor vehicle havin'g a clutch to control transmission of power from the motor, a suction operated power' device including a cylinder and a movable piston in the cylinder, a connection from the piston to theclutch, a connection from the cylinder on one side of said piston to the shifting said cam element.

4. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a manually operable clutch actuating pedal, uid pressure actuated means connected.V

to said clutch pedal and adapted to exert a force tending to move said pedal in clutch disengaging direction, a valve for controlling said fluid pressure vactuatedmeans and mechanical connections between said 'valve and said clutch pedal whereby the initial movement Vof' said pedal in either clutch engaging or clutch disengaging direction operates said valve.

5. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of manually operable clutch operating mechanism, uid pressure actuated means connected to said clutch operating mechanism and adapted to exert a. force tending to move saidclutch operating mechanism in clutch disengaging direction, a valve for controlling said uid pressure actuated means and mechanical connections between said valve and-'said clutch operating mechanism whereby the initial movement oi said clutch operating mechanism in either 'clutch engaging `or clutch disengaging direction operates said valve. y

CHARLES A. BREWER. 

